Elizabeth i



UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELIZABETH I. COUCH, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

PROCESS OF CLEANING CLOTHS AND OTHER FABRICS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 260,168, dated June 27, 1882. Application filed December 13, 1881. (No specimens.)

To all whom tt may concern:

Beit known that I, ELIZABETH I. CoUcH, of the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have in vented an Improved Process of Cleaning Cloths and other Fabrics; and I hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to a method of and composition for cleaning cloths, silks, plush, velvets, carpets, and all similar goods or articles.

It consists of two solutions, which are used successively, one being first applied to the articles to be cleaned, and followed by the other, which acts to bring out and set the colors.

The first solution is com posed of lime, borax, borax-soap, soda, and beef-gall in water, and the second consists of alum and fullersearth, also in water. The proportions which I use are about as follows: In the first solution I use lime, one pound; borax,one pound; borax or other soap, three pounds; soda, one pound; beef-gall, one quart. These articles are thoroughly dissolved and mixed in ten gallons of water, and the solution is then ready for use. When it is used it is applied to the goods with a soft sponge, and the goods are then rubbed with a stiff brush. If very heavy goods are being treated, a rubber scraper may be used to take out any excess of the solution which has been absorbed. I then apply my second solution, which consists of alum, one pound; fullers-earth, one pound; water, two gallons. This is applied with a soft sponge or linen cloth, and its effect is to bring out and set the colors, so that when dried the goods will be restored to-their original brightness and purity.

It will be manifest that the proportions here given are not arbitrary, but that they may be changed considerably without materially affecting the compound or process.

I am aware that fullers-earth is well known as a detergent, and I am aware that others of the ingredients I use are individually well known and used in the same capacity; and I am fully aware that alum has been used in fixing colors; yet I am not aware my precise method, consisting of the steps named, has

ever been practiced before; and hence what I confine myself to specifically, and,

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- The method herein described for cleaning woven and other fabrics, consisting in first-applying to the goods an aqueous solution of lime, boraX, borax-soap, soda, and beef-gall, and rubbing the same with a brush or scraper, then applying with a soft sponge or cloth a second solution, consisting of alum and fullers-earth, substantially as herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ELIZABETH I. COUCH.

\Vitnesses:

JOHN AMBROSE PHELPS, WILLIAM PARKER FOSTER. 

